Unemployment Up 93% in North Durham. We Must Do More To Tackle Unemployment

Figures published today show that Northd Durham continues to be badly hit by unemployment. 2,583 people were claiming job seekers allowance in June. That is 1, 251 more than in June 2008. A rise of a shocking 93%.

Unemployment has a devastating impact on families and communities. I believe that, quite simply, the Government is not doing enough to address the problem. More needs to be done to address the situation. More needs to be done as a matter of urgency.

That is why, I believe, we must act now. And act decisively. We need to create more training places and apprenticeships. We need to ensure that jobseekers have immediate access to good quality careers advice and that careers advice is not strangled by red tape. We need to help local businesses to create jobs by getting credit moving again through a National Loan Guarantee Fund and cutting Corporation Tax.